Miami takes big halftime lead and cruises over Coppin State

Miami had great balance with six players scoring in double figures in a 93-73 win over Coppin State on Sunday afternoon at the Watsco Center. Miami improved to 3-0 with the win and Coppin State dropped to 0-6. The win concludes a three-game homestand to begin the season for Miami.

Miami began the game 8-2 and led for all but 1:52. The Hurricanes had great balance in the first half. Nine Miami players scored in the first half led by Matthew Cleveland with 10 points. Cleveland finished with 15 points and seven rebounds to lead Miami.

Brandon Johnson with 14 points and eight rebounds, Lynn Kidd with 12 and five, true freshman Divine Ugochukwu with 12, A.J. Staton-McCray with 11 and Jalen Blackmon with 10 all reached double-figures to back Cleveland. True freshman Jalil Bethea missed a late three-point shot and finished with seven points.

Miami continued to be an elite offensive team shooting 56 percent from the floor. The Hurricanes made 14 out of 27 three-point attempts and seven of nine from the free-throw line. Coppin State shot 41 percent from the floor, made five of 16 three-point field goals and 12 out of 21 from the free throw line.

Six different Miami players shot at least 50 percent from the floor on multiple makes and attempts. Miami. As expected Miami dominated in almost every category. Miami had a 42-26 rebounding advantage, a 36-13 edge in bench points and 38-28 in points in the paint.

Ugochukwu had another outstanding game scoring 12 points on 4-4 from the floor, 4-5 from the free throw line, while adding four rebounds and three assists. After being a late addition to the 2024 Miami class, Ugochukwu has been the best freshman for the Hurricanes.

Miami will play in the Charleston Classic this week with a noon tip-off versus Drake on Thursday. Miami will play Florida Atlantic or Oklahoma State in their second game in Charleston. Seton Hall versus Virginia Commonwealth and Nevada against Vanderbilt is the other half of the Charleston Bracket.